Boom In New Marijuana Businesses for Fort Collins

In 2012, voters overturned a ban on medical marijuana dispensaries in Fort Collins, CO. Now, in 2013, six new dispensaries have renewed business in the city, with an additional eight more expected by the January 1st legalization of recreational marijuana sales. The city of 144,000 caps the number of allowed businesses at 14.

Business-owners report that the road to recovery was difficult, due to the cost of licensing, rents, and other costs incurred while waiting for the city to finalize its stance on dispensaries in the city. From Ken Correia, owner of Solace Meds on Smokey Street: “[The ban put] Major strains not only on business, but on my personal financial situation,” he said. “I don’t know how a lot of the guys got through it. It was definitely difficult.”

As the city moves forward in finalizing its rules on recreational marijuana sales, Fort Collins canna-businesses are hanging in there to support local — and serve tourists at the start of the new year.

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